Get Up and Get Moving: Too Much Sitting Can Lead to Nervousness and Anxiety

It’s time to turn off the Netflix and put down the tablet. You need to get up and get moving!

According to new research published in the journal BMC Public Health, sitting all day, or for long periods of time, can cause you to turn into a nervous wreck. Let’s not forget about how fat and physically unhealthy you can get as well.

Deakin University’s Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research in Australia had their researchers look at nine previous studies on the matter. These scientists found that sedentary activities like sitting in front for a computer, or binge-watching OITNB can cause a spike in a person’s anxiety.

It seems a little contradictory to think that kicking back on your couch could make you more stressed, but in majority of the studies examined, researchers found that sitting for prolonged periods of time were associated with increased feeling of uneasiness.

Deakin’s researchers have come up with a few possible explanations for the link. It could be that lazing around for hour upon hour leads to poor sleep patterns, which can, in turn make you feel edgy and nervous. Anther idea is that hibernating in front of your laptop, TV, or tablet results in antisocial behavior that could leave you feeling like one big ball of anxiety.

Researchers say more work needs to be done to determine whether the inactivity causes the anxiety or if the two just happen to be related. But in the meantime, it won’t hurt you to take a five-minute break during your episode of OITNB. Crazy Eyes will still be there when you get back. (Glamour)